Texas Tech Making Late Push for Four-Star DT Tico Crittendon After Surprise Official Visit
By Jarrett Ramirez โข RedRaiderSports
Published: June 13, 2025
In the ever-evolving landscape of college football recruiting, the unexpected is often the norm. Thatโs certainly the case with four-star defensive tackle Tico Crittendon Jr., who took an unannounced official visit to Texas Tech this past weekend, sending shockwaves through recruiting circles.
The 6-foot-4, 300-pound standout from Lithonia High School in Georgia is currently ranked as the No. 164 overall player in the Class of 2026, No. 22 in the state, and the No. 9 defensive tackle nationally, per Rivals.
Crittendon had previously narrowed his list of finalists to four programs and even set a commitment date for later this summer. However, his surprise trip to Lubbock has thrown a wrench into what many believed was a settled recruitment.
RedRaiderSports.com caught up with Crittendon after his visit to get insight into his thought process and what led to the sudden interest in the Red Raiders.
โHonestly, I just wanted to see it for myself,โ Crittendon said. โCoach \[Zarnell] Fitch had been recruiting me for a while, but I wasnโt really giving it a lot of attention. But the way he stayed consistent, and how the staff kept showing loveโit made me think maybe I needed to see what Texas Tech was really about.โ
The visit, which flew under the radar with no social media teasers or graphics beforehand, appears to have left a significant impression on the Georgia native.
โI was surprised by the facilities and how close the team is,โ he added. โThe energy is different out there. Coach McGuireโs message was real. Heโs not just talking about building a program, heโs showing it.โ
Crittendon spent time with the coaching staff, current players, and toured both the athletic and academic facilities. He noted the family atmosphere and one-on-one attention stood out the most.
โIt felt like they really want me here, not just as a player, but as a person,โ Crittendon said.
Though he remains โundecidedโ and has not officially updated his top four, sources close to the situation indicate that Texas Tech has made a significant impressionโenough to potentially disrupt the current pecking order.
โHeโs still sticking to his commitment timeline for now,โ one source said. โBut Texas Tech made things very interesting.
Whether this visit was just a courtesy or a genuine shift in interest, itโs clear that Joey McGuire and the Red Raider staff are making a serious play for Crittendonโs signature. And in the wild world of college recruiting, momentum can shift in a single weekend.
With a few more weeks before his scheduled announcement, the door remains open in Lubbockโand the Red Raiders are pushing hard to walk through it.